VeryTop

CustomMainMenu

Delana Gonzales

Delana Gonzales, born and raised in New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment, did not leave her education to chance.

Through the guidance of her mentor and strong Latino family support, she applied herself diligently and advanced as a scholar in the field of psychology at the University of New Mexico (UNM).

During her time at UNM, Gonzales assisted on various research projects examining breast and cervical cancer screening behaviors among Latinas on campus. She also investigated breast and cervical cancer screening practices among Latino women along the U.S./Mexico border.

Wanting to incorporate her psychology degree into public health, Gonzales applied for and was recently accepted into the UT School of Public Health in San Antonio.

Gonzales, now a master’s degree student who expects to graduate in 2013, was encouraged by a local faculty member to apply to theÉxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training, which aims to increase research in Latino cancer disparities by encouraging master’s-level students and health professionals to pursue a doctoral degree and a cancer research career.

By the end of the 2012Éxito!Summer Institute, Gonzales received the necessary tools, information, and mentoring opportunities to successfully apply to a doctoral program when she earns her master’s degree.

“The summer institute has provided me with helpful information in pursuing a PhD,” she said. “I feel that I have established a support system withÉxito!staff.”